Stimulus Funding: Low Income Families Provided Winter Heat Thanks to $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan
The Biden administration announced on Nov. 18 that it’s taking steps to dole out billions in aid for winter heating and utility bills. This amount comes largely from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
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An additional $4.5 billion is being allocated to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which normally receives annual funding between $3 billion and $4 billion to serve roughly 5 million households. The extra funds will be available until Sept. 2022, according to the White House.
“These new programs and funding were designed to ensure that if the weather was colder or the prices were higher, we would have the highest resources ever to help as many hard-pressed families as possible,” said Gene Sperling, who is managing coronavirus relief for the White House, reported AP News.
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According to the Labor Department’s consumer price index, electricity and natural gas prices are about 11% higher compared to a year ago and data from the Energy Information Administration shows that heating oil prices have nearly doubled over the past year.
The White House also called on utility companies receiving public assistance to prevent shutoffs this winter and help expedite the delivery of federal aid. DTE Energy, Eversource, National Grid, NorthWestern Energy, Green Mountain Power, Portland General Electric, Vermont Gas and the delivered fuel trade association NEFI have agreed to notify eligible recipients and ensure no utility shutoffs for vulnerable customers.
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AP News also added that invitations were sent out for a call to take place on Nov. 18 with representatives from governors’ offices to discuss plans for fund distribution and coordination.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Stimulus Funding: Low Income Families Provided Winter Heat Thanks to $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan
